Bethel, Vermont's History

From the white granite quarries, the Peavine Railroad, our historic churches and Town Hall, to one of the state's oldest continually operated businesses, Bethel's history is a long and rich one. We are fortunate to have an active Historical Society staffed entirely by volunteers, which dedicates itself to documenting and preserving our town's historical records and knowledge.

Did you know...

Bethel was the first township granted by the State of Vermont. An association was formed in Hanover, NH in December 1777, for the purpose of making a settlement on the White River and its branches, and in March 1778, petitioned the Legislature of Vermont for the grant of a township to be called Bethel. This grant having been made, the settlement was begun in 1779, and the town was organized in 1782. Almost the first thing the settlers did was to build a stockade fort. This fort is supposed to have been erected where the railway station stood. Excavations in connection with the building of the railroad brought to light relics that apparently were parts of the old fort. The building of this fort saved Bethel from the terrors of the Indian raid which resulted in the burning of Royalton.